Connoiseur Media has launched Hits 105.9 KZWF. The signal is a new move in that had been playing an automated Country format. They recently upgraded the signal to cover the Des Moines metro area. It will be interesting to see if Clear Channel will make any tweaks musically to Mainstream CHR KKDM Kiss 107.5. If Connoiseur is smart they will take advantage of the biggest achilles heel of Kiss. their reliance on voice tracking.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
Rhythmic CHR Returns to Des Moines
- Thread starter The Outsider
- Start date
Interesting -- I had been thinking that a move like this would make sense for one of the DM area rimshots looking for an identity. Now as for its viability as a format in central Iowa, that would seem to be an open question. I had thought this might also happen somewhere in eastern Iowa within earshot of the Quad Cities/Cedar Rapids. Again, selling a rhythmic format anywhere in Iowa is an idea that definitely has its detractors.
Well, having been over to KZWF's sister stations' websites, they seem to favor a local feel, in particular the AM drive.
As I posted on the Rhythmic board, I welcome this CHR war. It's worth noting that this isn't alot different than KISS, just minus the rock oreinted tracks.
It looks like they changed their call letters to KZHZ to match the "hits" handle.
I also noticed that sister station KZWU just changed their call letters to KZHC, possibly to become a simulcast of KZHZ.
BTW here's KZHZ's signal coverage...
http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=KZHZ&service=FM&status=L&hours=U
BTW here's KZHZ's signal coverage...
http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=KZHZ&service=FM&status=L&hours=U
It will be interesting to see how this station indwells itself in the community. Events like 515 Alive, etc. are good opportunities to touch the obvious core demo, but even getting out and participating in/broadcasting from good causes in and around Des Moines, marathons, charities, etc. is a great way to establish themselves. That, and the obvious visibility through remotes and other advertising outlets.
It will be a fun CHR war this summer.
It will be a fun CHR war this summer.
only1moore said:
It's just about exactly what I expected, which is fine, I guess. Did you mean that you thought it was a bad playlist, a good one, or indifferent?
icybluelake said:
A good one. Not too Pop, not too Hip-Hop, just right.
I'm impressed with Hits already. Giving out Wiz Khalifa tickets to an already sold-out show at the Val-Air. Now turing around and doing a summer flyaway promo already.
I'm just impressed by the Val-Air -- that it's still around.
As you may have heard or read KZHZ and KZHC are being sold to IPR for 1.75 Million. 
However, there are rumors that someone else in town might be picking up the format. With the 18-34 demo available now in Des Moines I can't imagine someone wouldn't.
We'll see.....
Looks like Connoisseur Media never meant to keep these to begin with given the time it took to get them at full-power. probably too much time and money. Word is they will be around till October.
However, there are rumors that someone else in town might be picking up the format.
With the 18-34 demo available now in Des Moines I can't imagine someone wouldn't.We'll see.....
Looks like Connoisseur Media never meant to keep these to begin with given the time it took to get them at full-power. probably too much time and money. Word is they will be around till October.
I don't think they thought the station would become as popular as it has become. I should have known that something was up when Chris Ryan, the PD that launched the station, left to work for CBS Radio-Houston after a little more than three months in Des Moines, and also the fact that they have been commercial free since the March launch.
rom what I understand, the 18-34 numbers were very strong, which should be enough to convince the other radio groups to do something with an underperforming signal. Saga has a translator at 99.9 they aren't really doing anything with. According to the maps from Radio-Locator, it would cover both Des Moines and Ames. You get Iowa State University, that is huge.
rom what I understand, the 18-34 numbers were very strong, which should be enough to convince the other radio groups to do something with an underperforming signal. Saga has a translator at 99.9 they aren't really doing anything with. According to the maps from Radio-Locator, it would cover both Des Moines and Ames. You get Iowa State University, that is huge.
I'm surprised that KZHZ has managed to tap into the 18-34 demos and make a impact. However, there are other players in town who would to jump at a chance to grab those numbers. OTOH lets not forget Citadel (soon to be part of Cumulus), and, if they jump back into the fray, Clear Channel, who would do anything to protect KKDM.
only1moore said:
Clear Channel killed the format once before. They do have the frequency that The Beat was on they they could use as KPTL has been struggling for years, but would they flip it? If the Citadel/Cumulus deal ends up falling through, Citiadel could do it but I don't think the most of current listeners of KZHZ would tolerate a Rhythmic programmed the Cumulus way. Very recurrent/gold heavy and a smaller playlist of currents. Saga is not known for CHR and they have no Rhythmics in the portfolio but they do have that translator. It was interesting to see in their Facebook page that whoever is updating it is telling listeners to start contacting other radio groups in Des Moines, except Clear Channel, to ask if they would consider picking up the format. Another possibilty is someone buying one of the IPRs translator once they redeploy their resources and eliminate the duplication as IPR will have quite a bit of it in Des Moines.
The Outsider said:
I think Des Moines is one of the few growing young trending cities in the country where the businesses will actually still ignore a trend just to 'keep something out'. Good luck in seeing anything even from Citadel/Cumulus. Saga MIGHT do something with that translator. Other than that it will be a good 10-15 years before DSM can support something like this and by then radio as we know it may be long gone anyway.
Did they try to make it work? Who knows. This might have been for sale even BEFORE the launch this spring. Regardless, good luck getting any of the big boys to pick up the format.
It's the extra Hip-Hop that does it. I think this might have a better chance in the QC or Cedar Rapids/Iowa City market than in Des Moines. Despite the larger more diverse population as a whole in Des Moines, I think the eastern Iowa markets are more diverse and progressive 'per capita' than Des Moines.
radiorobert said:
That's something I've always believed, having access to media from both central and eastern Iowa.
Back to Rhythmic CHR Retreats from Des Moines, or how IPR doesn't make any sense...maybe that's a new topic
- Status